The laws of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics form one of the most fascinating branches of physics, and this text imparts some of this fascination to the student. The rapid growth in scientific knowledge means that an undergraduate physics course can no longer teach the whole of physics. With this in mind Professor Mandl has written a book which allows great flexibility in its use; it enables readers to proceed by the quickest route to a particular topic, and it enables teachers to select courses differing in length, difficulty and choice of applications. The aim of the text is to explain critically the basic laws of statistical physics and to apply them to a wide range of interesting problems. A reader who has mastered this book should have no difficulties with one of the more advanced treatises or with tackling quite realistic problems. Two substantial improvements have been incorporated into this second edition - firstly much greater prominence has been given to the Gibbs distribution, and secondly the treatment of magnetic work has been completely revised. Other changes include clarification of some of the arguments, a general updating of the textual material and a revision of the bibliography.
The Manchester Physics Series General Editors: D. J. Sandiford; F. Mandl; A. C. Phillips Department of Physics and Astronomy, University of Manchester Properties of Matter B. H. Flowers and E. Mendoza Optics Second Edition F. G. Smith and J. H. Thomson Statistical Physics Second Edition E. Mandl Electromagnetism Second Edition I. S. Grant and W. R. Phillips Statistics R. J. Barlow Solid State Physics Second Edition J. R. Hook and H. E. Hall Quantum Mechanics F. Mandl Particle Physics Second Edition B. R. Martin and G. Shaw The Physics of Stars Second Edition A. C. Phillips Computing for Scientists R. J. Barlow and A. R. Barnett Statistical Physics, Second Edition develops a unified treatment of statistical mechanics and thermodynamics, which emphasises the statistical nature of the laws of thermodynamics and the atomic nature of matter. Prominence is given to the Gibbs distribution, leading to a simple treatment of quantum statistics and of chemical reactions. Undergraduate students of physics and related sciences will find this a stimulating account of the basic physics and its applications. Only an elementary knowledge of kinetic theory and atomic physics, as well as the rudiments of quantum theory, are presupposed for an understanding of this book. Statistical Physics, Second Edition features:
- A fully integrated treatment of thermodynamics and statistical mechanics.
- A flow diagram allowing topics to be studied in different orders or omitted altogether.
- Optional "starred" and highlighted sections containing more advanced and specialised material for the more ambitious reader.
- Sets of problems at the end of each chapter to help student understanding. Hints for solving the problems are given in an Appendix.
